Saturday, January 12, 2008

Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 1: Verses 31 32

What the mind wants to see, it sees

Nimithani cha pashyami Vipareetani Keshava
Nacha Shreyonupashyami Hathwa Swajanamahave

Nakankshe Vijayam Krishna Nacha Rajyam Sukhanicha
Kim No Rajyena Govinda Kimbhogair Jivitena Va

*****

Oh Keshava, I see ill omens. I do not feel that any good will come out of killing one's own relatives.

I do not long for victory oh Krishna, neither kingdom nor enjoyment. Of what use is kingdom, enjoyment or even life itself after I kill my relatives in war?


There are a thousand fears that crop up in a disturbed mind. When an action has to be performed, yet some fear creeps in, it is the nature of the mind to come forward with many excuses, examples, ill omens or just anything to prevent performance. The mind has the power to show what it wants to believe. So in that way, Arjuna's mind, gripped by fear and uncertanty, is coming up with several invalid excuses one after another.

When an individual has taken up a major project or a resolution, his or her intellect has sat up and rolled up the sleeves to get ready. But the mind which is used to the ordinary ways of laziness and pursuing small goals or not seeing the ultimate picture, will resist in many ways - throwing tantrums like a child. The intellect governed by consciousness should be able to identify the tantrums and go ahead with its decision. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

2 comments:

Merging Point said...

Tantrums of the mind
toppled by the intellect...ohkay!

Anonymous said...

Merging Point: The intellect need not always topple the tantrums of the mind. It can coax, cajole, slap, kick or speak lovingly to trade a surrender. Like the Sama, Dana, Bheda, Dhanda principle - patience, relenting, differentiating and discriminating and finally, if still not yielding - through the rod of punishment!